Instructors:
Arlene G. Taylor
Office: 642 IS Bldg.
Office tel.: 412-624-9452
E-mail: ataylor@mail.sis.pitt.edu
http://www.pitt.edu/~agtaylor/
John M. Sluk
Office tel.: 440-775-5113
E-mail: john.m.sluk@oberlin.edu
Course Plan:
The course consists of units of readings and activities with PowerPoint
presentations on the class electronic communication system, discussion
board discussions, exercises, assignments, and group reports. FastTrack
students meet on campus during one weekend in October. Prof. Taylor
will meet with on-campus students three Monday evenings during the
term.
Requirements:
Students are expected to read the assigned textbook chapter and to
read the PowerPoint presentations for each unit before
discussion of a particular unit. Students are also expected to complete
other readings, participate in discussions, and to complete assignments.
Students are responsible for using the resources of the department
and the university to learn how to use the University catalog and
other public retrieval systems, the University libraries, electronic
mail, and Blackboard.
Assignments:
Assignments are due in the Instructors' drop box by midnight on the
date due. Students are encouraged to ask for assistance with assignments
when needed. The assignments that are assigned to groups or pairs
are to be done with the assigned person(s), with only one version
of the response being submitted for each group or pair. On individual
assignments you may discuss your work with each other, but the ultimate
work you turn in should be the result of your having done the work
yourself, not having copied "answers" from other students.
Plagiarism:
Plagiarism will not be tolerated. For an explanation
of what constitutes plagiarism, see "Avoiding
Plagiarism," by David J. Birnbaum and Helena Goscilo:
http://clover.slavic.pitt.edu/~tales/02-1/plagiarism.html
The result of plagiarism on any assignment will be an
"F" for at least that assignment. If the plagiarism is
found to be a repeat offense, the grade for the course
will be an "F."
Class Electronic
System:
Class discussion forums have been set up for the
purpose of stimulating discussion and observation on
topics related to the content of the course. Please do
not put gripes or flames on the discussion board.
Participants should always be respectful of others'
ideas, but they should also feel free to share different
perspectives or opinions.
Each member of the class is expected to make contributions as required
to fulfill the portfolio assignment. You are given suggested topics
for each unit. Other comments may be made on an issue that has come
up in the readings or in PowerPoint presentations, an intellectual
concern emerging from past experiences, etc. Students are encouraged
to post as often as they have something to contribute or have questions.
One forum on the main discussion board is for questions specifically
addressed to the Instructors. (These do not count as your substantive
post for a unit!)
Evaluation:
Evaluation of your work is as follows:
14% Portfolio (including in-class participation and class
electronic participation)
14% Group report
72% Assignments (8 "understanding" assignments)
Completion of all work (including the required number
of posts to the electronic discussion board) is expected
regardless of its proportion of the grade. No student
will receive an "A" unless all work has been completed
(regardless of point average).
Late
Policy:
All assignments must be turned in on time. Late assignments are strongly
discouraged. If late work appears to be unavoidable, you should communicate
with your instructor about the circumstances. When a late assignment
is accepted, it is understood that its grade usually will be lowered.
Groups:
Assigned groups will be constituted for group
reports. These groups will be given group space in
Blackboard.
A Note on
Special Needs:
Students with disabilities who require special accommodations should
notify the instructor and the University's Office of Disability Resources
& Services (DRS) - 216 William Pitt Union,
(412)648-7890/ (412)383-7355 (TTY) - as early as possible in the term.
Students may be asked to provide documentation of their disabilities
so that DRS may determine the appropriateness of the request.DRS will
verify your disability and determine reasonable accommodations for
this course.
Language
Courtesy:
Gender-inclusive language is required in all course
work. The use of respectful language in any situation is
not a matter of "political correctness" but one of simple
courtesy.